Kudos & Kicks: Reviewing the good, bad and questionable

After several years of running a failing water and sewage treatment system while facing hefty state fines, it’s positive to see that Everglades City not only has a new utility operator but a backup in place.

There’s never a good location for a leaky sewage system, but one in Everglades City carries additional environmental concerns because it’s on the doorstep of the Ten Thousand Islands, western Everglades and Everglades National Park.

About a month ago the city under new leadership reached agreement with Veolia Water North America — South near Tampa to take over the system’s operations. In 2013 the city settled a lawsuit with the state over the faulty Everglades City system and promised to make improvements by set deadlines. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection stepped in again in 2016 when repairs weren’t completed, even asking Collier County government’s utility to take over the system.

Collier commissioners agreed last week to provide advisory services and take a backup position if the Veolia agreement with the city doesn’t continue.

George Yilmaz, who oversees the county’s utilities, said staff will assist the city as requested and in seeking grants to improve the system, which also serves surrounding communities. Those areas, like Everglades City, were hit hard by Hurricane Irma. The stricken area can use some more good news like this.

Finally, there is what Yilmaz calls “a sustainable solution” involving the city, contractor, county and state.

Commissioner Bill McDaniel said the state already has approved a handful of additional hookups to Everglades City’s system. Those had long been on hold over state concerns about the system.

“This is a great beginning of a strong, productive relationship with the city,” Commissioner Penny Taylor said.

Kick

Jack Latvala certainly did one thing right. He resigned.

Latvala’s resignation Wednesday from the Florida Senate was a welcome relief for his colleagues and taxpayers.

He insisted to the end that he’s innocent of sexual harassment, despite the detailed report on allegations brought anonymously by six women who said Latvala touched them inappropriately or made improper remarks to them. Retired Judge Ronald Swanson’s report was filed just a day before Latvala ended his nearly 16-year Senate career.

Latvala had earlier been replaced as Senate budget chairman, and Gov. Rick Scott called for him to leave the Legislature.

Six women told Politico last month that Latvala touched them inappropriately and made improper remarks to them. One Senate employee described being mauled in an elevator. Latvala strongly denied any misconduct. He may have hugged friends or made little jokes in his gruff manner, he said, but he never meant to offend anyone and was unaware that some women were avoiding or tolerating him for fear of harming their career prospects.

Deservedly or not, we hope Latvala will be a lesson to the men in Florida politics that their power doesn’t mean they can do whatever they want, and the women need to know they don’t have to put up with it.

Tallahassee Democrat editorial board

Kudos

Collier County school district operations and its nearly billion-dollar budget have been an issue the past two elections and was a sticking point between factions on the prior School Board.

So we applaud the current School Board for unanimously agreeing last week to hire a firm that can conduct an independent risk assessment.

The hired company would look at programs or practices that board members think should get a closer review or specific audit.

Board members gave due accolades to member Erika Donalds, who worked with district staff to get the risk assessment proposal outlined and approved.